>>> BTF NEWSLETTER >>> March 13th 2009

Welcome to the new BTF Newsletter! New VM LPs and new AMS CDs! Also lots of indie news. Bye! BTF STAFF

PROGRESSIVE   NEW "Waterline" is simply a breeze of fresh air in the 21st Century. The legendary Aldo Tagliapietra from LE ORME takes some lead vocals; many references to Italian Symphonic, GENESIS and even ELP are present, yet the sound is extremely original and with a modern approach. There are Mellotron sections a la Banks and organ passages that remind of Keith Emerson, but it’s only that, an echo from the past, respectful enough to keep the attention of Classic Progheads but modern enough to sound new and original. The concept of the album is simple, the thin line of water that divides the emerged world and the submerged, a dual concept that Aldo Tagliapietra must have loved being that reminds a bit of the duality between Felona and Sorona. Many american guest enrich the list of musicians involved in the project.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Second CD for this interesting italian band. After the debut CD “Second era of Stonehenge” this album carries the same charming suggestions, binding together Pink Floyd and Greatful Dead.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Another excellent LP reissue! Flea's second album is available again: hard-rock and progressive-rock perfectly blended in one of the masterwork albums of the original italian prog scene from the early Seventies.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Great debut by this project hailing from southern Italy! Macromarco, alias Marco Grieco apart from being the composer of the famous Odissea musical, is also a deep lover of Italian prog. “Il pianeta degli uomini liberi” (The world of free men) follows directly the footsteps of the best melodic Italian prog giants, in this case especially PFM, focusing on a nice melodic pathos (of course there are lots of keyboards!) and a warm and distinguished voice. The beautiful booklet contains all Italian lyrics, plus their English translation. For further info please visit http://www.marcogrieco.it/ As usual, the album is available as a beautiful vinyl replica CD.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Very interesting debut Mini-cd for the Italian band Mytho. Just 20 minutes long but at a special price, Mytho play a very nice and pleasing melodic neo-prog that is absolutely worth discovering. Limited edition.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW "Canti d'innocenza canti d'esperienza" is the 1973 album by ex New Trolls members that will later become Ibis. A must-have for New Trolls addicts showing the harder, smoking side of the New Trolls diaspora. Available in the usual BTF gatefold artwork with the original insert photo artwork and all lyrics.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW BACK IN STOCK! Legendary Osanna is back! With a new line-up but still representing the spirit that was always typical for the original band, but with a new, dynamic, innovative and passionate sound. David Jackson from Van Der Graaf generator joined this project, becoming much more than a guest but a stable element of the band, contributing with a strong added value, and so did guest stars Gianni Leone (Balletto di Bronzo), David Cross (King Crimson), Tim Stevens, Lello Brandi and the other guests, who enriched the project with their talent and creativeness, creating a true and deep-hearted homage to this historical band. Lino Vairetti knew how to gather a real "Prog family" rearranging Osanna's classic tunes keeping the vintage sound of the electric and acoustic guitars, synths as Mellotron and Hammond, and especially the flute and saxophone of David Jackson. The Cd also includes a stunning version of Theme One by Van Der Graaf Generator! Over 70 minutes of music, deluxe limited edition papaersleeve. Tracklist: TEMA/ANIMALE SENZA RESPIRO/MIRROR TRAIN/L'UOMO/A ZINGARA/CE VULESSE CE VULESSE/FUJE 'A CHISTU PAESE/IL CASTELLO DELL'ES/ORO CALDO/MY MIND FLIES/L'AMORE VINCERA' DI NUOVO/EVERYBODY'S GONNA SEE YOU DIE/IN UN VECCHIO CIECO/VADO VERSO UNA META/SOLO UNITI/THEME ONE/THERE WILL BE TIME

PROGRESSIVE   NEW singer Sophya Baccini realizes her first CD as soloist, a concept called “Aradìa”. The work faithfully reflects the Sophya’s career: enriched by a dense rank of guests, it shows a huge and variegated background. More, here we find her also as pianist, arranger and composer of all tracks. Made by a long 13 parts suite, more 4 songs and a Joni Mitchell’s cover, “Circle Game”, called to close the circle, the CD is immersed in symphonic, dark, sometimes gothic atmospheres, even thanks to the sound of various acoustic instruments, such violin, piano, accordion, bouzouki, classic guitar, sided by Mellotron, Mini Moog, Modular Moog and vintage synths. All is framed by the mighty harmonies of voices and a beautiful electric guitar. During the listening, you meet the Lino Vairetti’s voice (Osanna), the Martin Grice’s flute and tenor saxophone (Delirium), the Stefano Vicarelli’s Modular Moog (Fonderia), the Ana Torres (Universal Totem Otchestra) and Nona Luna’s voices (Iconae), and on drums you find Aurelio Fierro jr. A video track is included as a bonus. An unique disk, an incredible surprise for female Rock – Sophya is a true pioneer of that – and a lashing of energy for all Progressive Music right now. Musicians: Sophya Baccini: lead vocals, choirs, piano, synths, mellotron Pino Falgiano: strings, orchestral & percussion arrangements, hammond organ, moog solo on “Aradia” Vittorio Cataldi: violin, accordion Franco ponzo: guitars Special Guests: Stefano Vicarelli (Fonderia): modular moog on “La pietra”, “Non è l’amore il tuo destino”, “Elide” Aurelio Fierro Jr. : drums on “Al ritmo di una storia”, “Non è l’amore il tuo destino”, “Elide” Lino Vairetti (Osanna): vocal on “Non è l’amore il tuo destino” Martin Grice (Delirium): flute on “Don’t Dream That Dream”, tenor sax on “Nei luoghi” Ana Torres (U.T.O.): vocal on “Two Witches and Doreen” Nona Luna (Iconae): vocal on “Two Witches and Doreen”

PROGRESSIVE   King Crimson and Genesis music and spirit are reborn with this talented new prog band from Milan. Great songs and lyrical tension for one of the most appreciated album by itaprog fans: probably what the fans of "Selling England..." should dream to listen for a new Genesis' album. "Twilight" è un album crepuscolare, drammatico e malinconico di grande rock progressivo,quello che avreste voluto sentire dai Genesis dopo "Wind and Wuthering" o dai Marillion dopo "Fugazi"... Track list: 1) My Ivory Soul 8.40 2) The Theme 1.31 3) The Fisherman 8.42 4) Tomorrow Happened 9.47 5) The Black Cage 8.44 6) A Game With Shifting Mirrors 8.02 7) Flower Of Innocence 3.51

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Between suggestions of psych-progressive and gentle electronic with hypnotic atmosphere VICOLO MORGANA consists of Francesco Antonelli (keyboards) and Fabio Bizzarri (guitars), helped by Alice Bardini on vocals and Andrea Castelli on bass. "A Perfect Life" is a delicate and precious work with echoes of Fripp-Sylvian, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros and Tangerine Dream. Tra suggestioni psych-progressive ed elettronica gentile dall'ipnotica atmosfera VICOLO MARGANA suggella il pregevole binomio di Francesco Antonelli (tastiere) e Fabio Bizzarri (chitarre), coadiuvato dalla bellezza e lievità vocali di Alice Bardini, e dal basso di Andrea Castelli. "A perfect life" è il respiro di sonorità rapenti e luminosa leggerezza, battito d'ali di farfalla con rimandi Fripp-Sylvian, scie pinkfloydiane, echi di Sigur Ros e dei più melodiosi Tangerine Dream.

PROGRESSIVE   NEW After being long out of stock we are happy to announce a strongly limited and hand-numbered edition of Zauber’s masterpiece containing recordings made in 1977, just before the release of their highly acclaimed debut album “Il sogno”. The original Phoenix record was carefully remastered, an absolutely fantastic artwork was added, and in the end the band even found a nice bonus track in its vaults. Il sogno is dreamy keyboard-driven Italian prog at its highest peaks with a beautiful and haunting female voice, acoustic guitar, and as already told, lots of keyboards and flute. Beware, this beautiful vinyl replica CD is a one time only limited edition: only 500 hand-numbered copies have been produced!

PROGRESSIVE   NEW Gli ZITA ENSEMBLE, dopo gli apprezzati "Volume 1" (2006) e "Quintet Sessions" (2007), ritornano con il loro migliore prog-psychedelic trip: sette brani strumentali per oltre 70 minuti di entusiasmanti assalti acid-psych-rock, spettrali lande punteggiate da piano rhodes, desertiche allucinazioni, disgressioni jazz-rock. "Volume 2" è un lungo viaggio a perdifiato("una folle folle corsa?"), planante nelle sue atmosfere in dissolvenza, iridescente nei cromatismi chitarristici di Luca Vicenzi, dinamico e pulsante nella sezione ritmica di Fabio Gatti (batteria) e Marco Fortuna (basso), arricchito delle suggestioni tastieristiche di Francesco Agostoni (persino un mellotron nel finale). Il suono Zita Ensemble sa coniugare magicamente la migliore psichedelia (liberatoria) di matrice seventies coi più contemporanei echi post-rock, luogo dunque atemporale e immaginifico "nella notte del mare profondo"